14 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with toddlers

Holidays are the perfect opportunities to let your kids know how much you love them. While you may already be thinking about ways to spoil your partner, don’t forget the little ones! This is also a great chance to demonstrate how far small acts of appreciation can go. Here are fourteen small ways to show your children love on Valentine’s Day.

Make a heart shaped breakfast

A heart-shaped cookie cutter will turn toast into a fun breakfast. Serve alongside scrambled eggs to create a hearty breakfast for your kids to enjoy before the inevitable Valentine’s Day sweets.

Trace and color hearts

Little hands will love this cute printable that will allow them to practice tracing and drawing hearts.

Serve up some red snacks

Here’s hoping your toddler will gobble up their fruits and vegetables! Serve up some red snacks to encourage them. Strawberries, red peppers and cherry tomatoes become fun when served with love!

Teach them how to give compliments

Teach your toddler how to give compliments by telling them all the things you love about them. Who knows, your tiny sponge may give you one back.

Celebrate with heart shaped pizza

Try your hand at homemade pizza or order from your local Lou’s. The middle-of-the-week treat will be a great excuse to slow down and enjoy some family time.

Give them a voucher for a one-on-one date

Toddlers love making decisions for themselves, so why not put the power in their hands with a voucher? Use this printable to craft up a ticket for one on one time with Mom and Dad. (Perhaps they can redeem the voucher for a movie date to one of these upcoming movies?)

Let them choose how to celebrate

Ask your toddler how they would like to celebrate Valentine’s Day and say yes to their desires. What do they want to wear? What do they want to eat? Whatever it is, say yes and let them have the best day ever.

Craft valentines together

Pull out your craft bin and make cards for family and friends. Keep it simple and use the supplies you already have on hand. It’s the thought that counts!

Buy them some Valentine’s Day pajamas

Dress in pink or red together

If you’re not into the idea of buying clothing specifically for Valentine’s Day, work what with you’ve got! Have your toddler pick out an outfit consisting of red or pink pieces. They will have so much fun choosing and the decision-making process can also be used as an opportunity to practice their colors.

Snuggle up for a family movie night

Curl up on the couch as a family and put on a classic cartoon love story. “Lady and The Tramp,” anyone?

Wind down with a bath

Watch their eyes light up when you surprise them with a colored bath! Grab a bath bomb at the store or use colored bath drops for a fun twist on the usual routine.

Read a love-themed bedtime story

Complete a random act of kindness

Allow your toddler to show appreciation for others by completing a random act of kindness. Leave a thank you note for the mailman, bake a treat for your neighbors or pass out the handmade Valentines you made. Regardless of what you do, showing a little love for others will make the entire family feel good.